Google maps+traffic of the area:
tinyurl.com/yl3vyuh
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I would guess they went shut it as far as Burnham on Sea to get the traffic onto the A38 rather than trying to merge the vehicles already on the M5 with the rush hour traffic coming out of Weston which will now either have to use the A370. If that is the case does seem to be a common sense approach.
Just walked youngest into Nursery which is close to Morrisons, and traffic seemed fairly light. Normally this is one of the first areas to be affected by any closures as the A370 is just the other side of the shops.
Thankfully it seems the driver was not seriously injured.
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What the excuse of the Highway agency for not telling people of Delays/Diversions ect of M5 being shut.
I travelled to work this morning along the M49 at 6.50am to join the M5 south, only to be greeted with a long tailback into Avonmouth, as most weekends in the afternoon with the current road works on the M5 Avonbridge.
Why didn't they use these Giant Matrix signs on the surrounding 'Motorway Network' to WARN people of this, so they could find another route to avoid the problem where this accident happened at 04.25am. Instead Avonmouth and Bristol city was at a standstill.
The Agency was asked about the traffic in the City was, thats the Citys problem. It their problem for not notifying people earlier to avoid it. Waste of space where they drive all day in their 4x4s back and forth along the same stretch of motorway for their patch.
What the purpose of these large matrix signs ??
Could'nt organise a so and so in a brewery.
Edited by autumnboy on 16/10/2009 at 13:20
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As I was driving down the M11 southbound this morning the matrix signs had messages on about the M5 being closed.
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It was signed on the M20 at 8am todayas well.
Pat
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The M11 and M20 are a long way from the M5, and I wonder what relevance the closure of the M5 has to drivers on those motorways
Perhaps there was one long-distance driver in Cambridge who was able to reroute his trip to Devon along the south coast.
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What the purpose of these large matrix signs ??
Try contacting the Highways Agency:
www.highways.gov.uk/aboutus/2304.aspx
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The amount of traffic getting off the boats at Dover and Folkestone woul all be able to reroute, along with all the container traffic from Felixstowe.
So much of this commercial traffic heads for the West Country and South Wales I would say the delays would have been a lot worse had they not been warned.
Having said that, I can understand your frustration at there being no warning on the M49.
Pat
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There was nothing even on the M4 east approaching the M49 junc., so if there nothing there then you assume nothing shown approaching the M4/M5 junc either.
But maybe if I went to Dover first then back on the M4 west, I and others would read about it.
Its just more money being wasted, having these 4x4s riding at 60mph up and down the tram lines throughout their shift with nothong to do or stand in front of their cones.
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Just been listening to Sally Traffic.....Always reminds me why I try, not always successfully, to work from home on Fridays...
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Sorry autumnboy but I would have to disagree with that.
The 'wombles' as we lorry drivers know them do a very good job, at least for us.
If you break down on the hard shoulder they are there almost immediately and getting a lane coned off for a tyre fitter, or mechanic to work on the vehicle, or even for the driver to walk around safely and find the cause of the problem, before making that phone call.
They stop traffic and pick up the endless debris lying on the carriageway that otherwise can do a lot of damage.
It's a thankless job and the wages are poor, and incidentally the matrix signs are supposed to be triggered by the endless cameras, so maybe we should be blaming the control rooms for not looking at them.
Incidentally, if your wife or daughter broke down at night on the hard shoulder, you'd be pleased to know they turn up very quickly and never leave a female alone.
Pat
Edited by pda on 16/10/2009 at 19:44
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The Highways Agency patrols have been welcomed by several traffic cops I've spoken to.
Not a bad recommendation, because you can be sure said traffic cops would be quick to highlight any shortcomings.
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My son has applied to be a Highways Agency patrol driver.
you lucky people
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